2006 Yamaha R6 First Look

By Cycle News Staff | 9/1/2005 12:00 AM

Yamaha has just unveiled its 2006 R6 and it’s stunning. This bike not only looks radically different, but it looks to be another quantum leap forward in middleweight design. Details are few but here is what we know about the motor. The motor has new bore and stroke dimensions with a new shorter-stroke design. Bore has been changed from 65.5 to 67mm while the stroke was changed from 44.5 to 42.5mm, which has allowed the redline to be raised to 17,500rpm. In order to deal with the increased revs, the valves are now made from titanium for lighter weight and increased strength. The motor is fed by a redesigned Ram-air system, while perhaps the most radical change is the new titanium midship muffler with an EXUP valve. Under the bodywork is a large exhaust chamber, which then passes the exhaust to the shorty MotoGP-style silencer. Other features new to the motor include the use of a computer-controlled throttle and a slipper clutch. According to Yamaha, a MotoGP-derived "straight frame" chassis houses the motor, while a new gullwing swingarm makes room for the exhaust canister to exit down low. The bike features a longer wheelbase up to 55.2 from 54.5 inches. The rake number is now 24-degrees instead of the 24.5-degrees on the previous bike, while trail was increased from 95 to 97mm. The seat height is now about an inch and a half higher at 34-inches. The suspension has been changed completely with a new inverted front fork with provisions for preload, rebound and for the first time high and low speed compression damping. The same goes for the rear shock as it also features high and low speed compression in addition to preload and rebound. Braking is handled by dual 310mm floating discs w/ radial mount four-piston calipers up front and a single 220mm rear disc out back. The styling on the new R6 is fairly radical, using Formula 1 style aerodynamic treatments like the flat bargeboards on the side fairings. The bike will be available in the following colors: Team Yamaha Blue/White, Raven, and 50th Anniversary Yellow/Black.